About the Japan Studies Institute

The Japan Studies Institute is a national faculty development institute focused on helping participants integrate Japanese studies into their undergraduate curricula.

Typically, the institute involves two weeks of intensive seminars, lectures, readings, film discussions and cultural activities related to Japanese history, culture, literature, government, business, language and education and is held on the AASCU member campus San Diego State University. However, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, AASCU has cancelled the in-person institute for 2020 and will be hosting a webinar series.

About the Webinar Series

AASCU invites faculty and staff at member institutions to join us for a free webinar series exploring key topics and themes from the Japan Studies Institute. Participants may attend any or all of the five-part webinar series, which will take place from May 13–July 8.

Webinars will focus on the pre-modern history and culture of Japan as well as contemporary topics that address the effects of COVID-19 on U.S.-Japan relations. Webinars will also include strategies for participants to integrate information and resources about Japan into their courses and student engagement programming.

Please email
Jody Dixon, AASCU’s program coordinator of global initiatives, for more information and to register. Here are the webinars that will be part of the series:

Part 1: Education in JapanMay 13, 2–3 p.m. EDT
Part 2: The Tokyo Olympics—Promises and Pitfalls of HostingMay 27, 2–3 p.m. EDTPart 3: Trump, Japan, and Asia: Japanese Foreign Policy in an Era of UncertaintyJune 10, 2–3 p.m. EDT
Part 4: When Your Survival Depends on Business with JapanJune 24, 2–3 p.m. EDT